Act 4 Scene 1 – Prospero as playwright. Breaks 4th wall. Metaphor for theatre. Shakespeare indirectly speaking to audience? Comparing the play and his magic to life – both will end. Imagery associating with “dissolve”. In reality magic isn’t real – brought to life in the theatre

“Spirits, which by mine art I have from their confines called to enact my present fancies”

Act 4 Scene 1 – shows limitations of his magic. No access to the real gods. Suggests a glass ceiling when it comes to the divine?

Symbols

Robe, books, wand

Elements

Earth, fire, wind, sea – Prospero controls both the natural and the supernatural